Staying Strong and True to Jesus

John 18:15-27
Peter's 3 Denials
This passage reminds me that no matter how devoted we are, we will blunder.  Peter told Jesus how much he loved him and would never deny knowing or following him.  But sure enough, his fear, caused him to deny Jesus 3 times.  I am certain I am guilty of this.  In public, around non-Christians, I fear being ridiculed.  Thus, I have been asking Christ for strength in this area of my life.

Being a teacher, I really value this verse:
I teach nothing in private that I have not said in public. (20)
I must be bold in my teaching and address issues of "religion" in class as students bring them up in a way that would glorify God.

Hewbrews 2:1-4
A Warning Against Drifting Away
This passage, to me, is a reminder that we know and have heard the truth.  If we choose to ignore it, the truth that Jesus Christ died on a Roman cross for our sins so that we could spend eternity with God, then we have drifted away.  We will not be saved, we will be denied our ticket to be God in heaven.

There is an excellent exerpt on this passage in the text. God loves us all, but cannot save us all because he has given us the gift of free will. We can choose between right and wrong, good and evil, God and Satan, and heaven and hell. Anyone who ends up in hell, chose to be there, s/he chose to deny God.  C.S. Lewis writes, "The gates of Hell are locked from the inside"... they choose to stay in Hell...

Father, I thank you for this message and I thank you for today's day of rest.  I ask Father that you give me strength and the power of efficiency to complete my tasks.  I pray that you will continue to give me a heart like yours so that I can overlook the pettiness of people who I work with and allow my love for you shine.  Give me a thankful and forgiving heart.